Scout Front Dana 44 in TJ

[line58]

I’ve been watching marketplace for a HP Dana 44 that I can build/narrow for my TJ to replace the current Dana 30 and saw that someone has a 1980 Scout Dana 44 front axle for sale in my area. The 1980 Scout axles are the same width as the TJ Dana 30, are driver drop, have disc brakes, and still have locking hubs.

On paper it looks like it should be a good candidate for a swap. Is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Axle age. Money. Welding. Hub - Lug pattern. Steering knuckles. Re-gear.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.

If you got that stuff down, Go for it.

I would look for a Rubicon salvage front axle. Bolt it in.

 

[line58]

Axle age. Money. Welding. Hub - Lug pattern. Steering knuckles. Re-gear.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.

If you got that stuff down, Go for it.

I would look for a Rubicon salvage front axle. Bolt it in.

Around here people are asking 2-3k for TJ D44s. And then I’d still have to regear.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Around here people are asking 2-3k for TJ D44s. And then I’d still have to regear.

Well, just because it is a 44 front axle doesn't mean the swap will be easy. Or the cheapest way.

Buy both F and R axles with the same gears and Bolt Them In would be easiest and cheapest.

 

[Lanzg]

Scouts were pass side drop, the spindle brake/hub/situation is kind of a nightmare, and are all Low pinion. I can't count the number of them I have put under Cjs, typically changed to all Ford from the Knuckle out. Not a great candidate for a TJ.
LG

 

[line58]

Scouts were pass side drop, the spindle brake/hub/situation is kind of a nightmare, and are all Low pinion. I can't count the number of them I have put under Cjs, typically changed to all Ford from the Knuckle out. Not a great candidate for a TJ.
LG

The 1980 are driver drop, and I was able to confirm this in the picture. But really good to know about the spindle/knuckle issue!

 

[Lanzg]

The 1980 are driver drop, and I was able to confirm this in the picture. But really good to know about the spindle/knuckle issue!

Do you have that picture?

 

[Fluxor]

I swapped a scout axle into a YJ years ago, Zero Caster, was too narrow, wrong lug pattern and low pinion. I swapped in a ford less then a year later. A High pinion non CAD XJ dana 30 built with decent parts is a better option in my opinion.

It is all driven by the tire size you want to run.

 

[06TJ35's]

HP Dana 30 for the win. That’s what I’m looking for.

 

[Wildman]

If you want a Dana 44 front axle to swap in other than a Ford HP44 then find a Waggoner Dana 44 LP front axle. IT's a better width than a Ford HP44 and you can swap out the 6 lug hub for 5 lug or change the rear to a 6 lub BP to match.
1980 Waggoner and newer front axles are driver drop. There were a few years I think around 1988-990 that they had a vacuum disconnect on them so verify before buying.

 

[RangerTJ]

As @Fluxor mentioned, the Scouts are Zero caster.

That means when you let go of the steering wheel it doesn't return to center, it keeps going where it's pointed.

Takes some getting used to.